Construction crane ends up in Missouri River, 3 men injured

A near tragedy along the Missouri River north of Plattsmouth this morning as a construction crane tipped.

Bellevue Battalion Chief Joe Gibilisco says the two men on the arm of the crane itself were 100 feet in the air when it toppled. Both were thrown into the river at a point where it was about five-feet deep. Both were able to make it to shore.

Workers used another crane to stabilize the one that tipped and then used their own cutting torch to free the worker pinned inside the cab of the crane.

The Omaha Fire Department rescue boat and several other agencies with boats responded as rescue workers didn’t know for sure what to expect on their way to the site. Extra rescue crews were also at the scene as a precaution.